Eden Grace
"Cassian! Are you happy now? The Calveris Pack is after our blood now!" Aunt Linda blasted.
Cassian's shoulders stiffened. "Aunt… please calm down, that was never my intention. I swear I will fix this. I will not let our pack suffer because of me. Trust me… I will handle it."
Aunt Linda's mouth curved into a sharp, mocking laugh. "Oh, I have already seen how you 'handle' things. Wherever you go, you always bring disaster to us. If it wasn't for Rael do you think you could have been the Alpha? I don't know what Moon Goddess was thinking for letting a bad omen like you bore Blackthorn's divine wolf."
Nathan, Linda's first born sneered, "Cassian if you have any conscience left, hand over that woman to the Calveris Pack. If you don't then I will!"
Eden, standing at a distance, felt all the color drain from her face. No. No. No. I don't want to die yet!
'How dare that pig decide my mate's fate? Unleash me and I'll perform brain surgery on him!' Rael snarled inside.
Cassian's eyes darkened as he glared at Nathan. "I am not letting her go. She's my chosen mate. I do not care how hard the road becomes, as long as she's with me, I'll walk it."
"You—"
"Who is she…?" Rachel Calveris walked in interrupting the family drama. She hadn't left even though her pack members had.
Her villainous eyes swept across the hall, searching for answers. "Who is this woman that you suddenly decided to marry without telling me? Show me."
Cassian lifted his gaze to meet hers, his voice low and firm. "Who do you think you are to order me around? As far as I remember I do not take commands from you."
"Cassian!" Grandpa Blackthorn yelled at him. "This brat! How dare you talk to her like that! Show some respect!"
Rachel let out a soft, fake voice. "It is alright, Grandpa," she said gently.
Her eyes shifted to Cassian, "If he doesn't show her then I'll see her myself."
She moved fast but Cassian blocked her. A low growl ripped from Cassian's chest, raw and dangerous. "Take one more step and I will rip you apart."
Rachel burst into laughter. "Why? Why so nervous? Afraid I might eat her alive..?" Her gaze sharpened, cruel and challenging.
"Cassian, you are in no position to threaten me. Step aside when I'm asking you nicely."
On the other hand, Aunt Linda slyly signaled her men to grab Eden and drag her here. Two werewolves immediately moved behind Eden and grabbed by her arms before she could react.
"Hey! What do you think you are doing! Let me go!" She bellowed.
In a second Eden was dragged forward and shoved into the hall. She stumbled, struggling to regain her balance.
"Eden." Casdian was quick to catch her. Eden's heart pounded wildly as every pair of eyes turned toward her.
Rachel who was wearing an evil smug, the moment she saw her, her expression froze. Eden Grace!?
The infamous wolfless girl from their school days? How come she was here?
Rachel's fingers slowly tightened into fists as shock and fury surged through her. Back then, she had always known that Cassian had feelings for Eden. That was why she had done everything in her power to push Eden away, to erase her from his life, scheming what all.
And now…she is back? Standing right here in Cassian's world again, posing as his Luna? Unacceptable!
Rachel's shock quickly twisted into red hot anger, "Cassian? Are you insulting me? If you wanted to replace me, you should have chosen someone worthy. But choosing a wolfless, scandalous woman like her to be Luna of the Blackthorn pack? Are you out of your mind?"
Cassian's gaze hardened as he looked back at her. "Who I choose to be with, has nothing to do with you."
"You brat, she's your fiancée!" Grandpa yelled at him.
"She is not my fiancée." Cassian said firmly. "I'm a married man now and this woman standing beside me is my wife, my Luna."
Eden's heart began to race uncontrollably yet she had known it was only a contract, only an agreement on paper.
"This bastard! How dare he—"
"Enough honey. Calm down," Grandma hurriedly interrupted, holding his arm and gently pushing him back into his seat. "Please, your health will worsen if you keep shouting. If you will also die, who will look after the pack?"
She then turned toward Rachel, her tone soft but firm. "Dear Rachel, let us stop this here for tonight. It is already late. We will think this through properly and find a way to fix everything."
Rachel lowered her gaze and pressed her lips together, masking her fury behind a fragile show of obedience and grace.
Everyone was watching and she wanted to look gentle, understanding young woman who knew when to step back. No one could see the venom brewing beneath that calm surface.
Rachel sneered internally. This old hag! She's using an excuse to deliberately divert the situation! Once I take over the Blackthorn pack I'll teach you a proper lesson.
"I understand, Grandma," she said sweetly. "I feel terrible seeing Elder Blackthorn's health worsen like this. It truly worries me."
She reached into her bag and carefully took out a small vial. "I even brought this for him. It is a special concoction for your recovery. I went to a great healer in the northern mountains and begged for it. They said this medicine is extremely rare and effective. I brought it especially for you."
"Oh my, what a thoughtful girl you are."Aunt Linda's eyes lit up when she took the vial in Rachel's hand. "See, everyone? This is what true concern looks like. And there's them…" She sneered at Cassian and Eden. "They only know how to bring more pain to pack, no matter how much they pretend to care. They hurt more than they pretend to heal."
"Enough, already." Grandma said firmly, her gentle voice carrying quiet authority. "Let us wrap this up, it's already late. Everyone should go and rest. Dear Rachel, you should return as well. Do not make the Calveris family worry."
With a small gesture, she signaled to a few guards. "Escort her home safely."
Rachel lowered her head slightly, "As you say Grandma. Please take care."
She turned to leave, her steps graceful and composed. But just before crossing the door, her sharp, venomous glare pierced through Eden.
Eden's back stiffened immediately. Because it was a silent threat. A dangerous vow. Rachel would not stop. She would hunt her…and she would not be merciful this time.
Soon, one by one, everyone began to leave. In the end, only four remained.
Grandpa grieved in sorrow. "I'm doomed. How will I face Aston now? The past mistake has already brought so much wound, now this? Oh moon goddess, how will I face this now?"
Eden stood quietly beside Cassian, her heart still unsettled, surrounded by a silence that felt heavier than all the chaos before. She couldn't help but ask.
"Grandpa….what past mistake Elder Calveris was talking about? Why was he so angry?"